Boiler cleaner



w. P. THOMAS BOILER CLEANER Jan. 23, 1934.

Original Filed Sept. 22, 1924 l www. #0M

ATTO RN EYS Patented Jan. 23, 1934 PATENT OFFICE BOILER CLEANER Willis I. Thomas, Detroit, Mich., assigner to Diamond Power Specialty Corporation, Detroit,

Mich., a corporation of Michigan Original application September 22, 1924, Serial 739,130. Divided and this application February 17, 1930. Serial No. 429,123

32 Claims.

This invention relates to boiler cleaners and has particular reference to a boiler cleaner of the character in which a blower element is adapted to discharge jets of cleaning fluid adjacent por- 4t' tions of the boiler to be cleaned.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a boiler cleaner of the above mentioned character in which the blower element is shiftable to spaced blowing positions and to provide means for automatically shifting the blower element from one of said positions to a second position at the completion of a predetermined blowing operation in the first position.

A further object of this invention is to provide a shiftable blower element of the above mentioned character, together with means for controlling the supply of cleaning uid to the blower element whereby the supply of cleaning fluid to the element may be cut off during shifting of the blower 2G element from one'of said blowing positions to the other.

The invention further contemplates the provision of a blower element shiftable to spaced blowing positions, together with means for locking the blower element in the said blowing positions, and the provision of a blower element which is adapted for movement relative to the head from which it receives its supply of cleaning fluid.

This application is a division of my cao-pending application, Serial Number 739,130, filed September 22, 1924.

Numerous other objects and advantages of this invention together with the details of construction will become more apparent as the following description proceeds, particularly when reference is had to the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a semi-diagrammatic sectional view through a boiler showing a blower element associated with the same in accordance with the teachings of this invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View through a blower element constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention; and

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of` Figure 2.

Referring then particularly to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout all views, there is semi-diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 1 a boiler having a wall provided with an opening 11 in which a wall box 12 is tted to provide an opening for receiving a blower element 13. `This blower element is provided with discharge nozzles (Cl. LZ2-$92) 14 for directing jets of cleaning fluid or the like adjacent the portions of the boiler to be cleaned, such for example as the boiler tubes l5. A plate 16 preferably engages the blower element and seals the opening between the element and the inner periphery of the Wall box, as clearly illustrated. Cleaning fluid is supplied tothe blower element from a supply pipe 17, there being provided a head designated generally by the reference character 18 which provides communication between the supply pipe and the blower element.

The blower head includes a goose-neck 20 which is connected at its one end to the supply pipe to receive cleaning uid therefrom. The other end of the vgoose-neck is counterbored to rotatively receive the end of a swivel tube 21 which forms an extension of the blower element 13. A valve 22 controls communication between the supply pipe and the goose-neck, this valve being provided with a stem 23 which is surrounded by a spring 24 which normally holds the valve in its closed position. i

For rotating the tube 21 there is provided a gear 25 which is fixed to this tube and this gear meshes with a pinion 26 which is rotatable with a sheave 2'7 adapted to be rotated from any convenient point by a chain Y28. A cam 29 rotatable with the gear 25 is adapted to engage a trigger 30 which engages the valve stem 23'and provides means for opening the valve 22 during a predetermined portion of the rotation of the tube 21.

The blower element 13 is connected to the tube 21 by a connection designated generally by the reference character 35. This'connection provides for rotation of the blower element with the swivel A tube while permitting-longitudinal movement of the blower element relative to the swivel tube, and includes a housing 36 connected at its one end to the swivel tube by a connecting member 37. The other end of the housing is providedv with packing 38 and packing gland 39 toprevent leakage of the cleaning fluid in passing from the swivel tube to the blower element. On its inner periphery, the housing is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves 40 for receiving pins 4l rigidly carried by the blower element 13. The arrangement is such that upon rotation of the swivel tube the blower element will be rotated, although the blower element may slide within the housing 36 for movement toward and away from the swivel tube.

The movement of the blower element relative to the swivel tube or blower head, as above described, provides for shifting of the blower element to` spaced blowing positions. Thus the vided-With a cam groove 52.

`the housing 36and pins 41. ing operation ofthe blower element, the-pin53 `engages the portions 56 of the groove 52, which blower element may be rotated with its nozzles directed toward certain portions of the boiler to be cleaned, and the blower element may then be shifted longitudinally of its axis to direct its discharge nozzles toward other portions of the boileixto be cleaned after whichr the blower element may be rotated in this position. As illustrated, in Figure l of the drawing, the nozzles 14 may be spaced to correspond to alternate spaces between the rows of bo-iler tubes, the arrangement being such that when the nozzles are in the position shown in full lines in this figure of the drawing, the blower element may be rotated or oscillated through an arc suicient to reachy the parts of the boiler to be cleaned. The element may then be advanced or retracted, as'the case may be, an increment corresponding to the space between the boiler tubes to the position shown in dotted lines in the figure, and the blowing operation again repeated.

lFor eecting a shifting-oi` the blower element as above idescribed, there issecuredtothe blower element by set screw 50, a cylindrical cam 51 pro- A pin 53A is carried by axed bracket v54 and is normallyforced `into engagement'with'groove152 by a spring :.55. -As illustrated, the groove 52 includesV the end por- 'tions 56 which lie in a vertical plane and the shown in-Figure l2, Vthe'blower element is in its extreme retracted position. i In this position the nozzles of theblower element are in position to clean certain -portions ofthe boilenas illustrated -in solid lines in Figure 1 of the drawing.

-With thenozzles in this position, the blower element may be rotated or oscillated by the vsheave 27, pinion 26 and gear 25, the latter rotating the swivel tube 21, andthismovement being-transmitted to the blowerelement-through During the cleanportions lie in vertical planes wherebyfthev blower -The relation of the c am l29 to thetrigger -30 is such that when the pin 53is in engagement with the grooved portions 56, theo/amis inengagement with the trigger andthe valve is opened. It will thus be seen that there isprovided means for rotating or oscillating the blower element in a plurality of predetermined positions and for simultaneously supplying cleaning .fluid 'to the blower element during this rotativelmovement of the blower element. Afterthe blowing operation for the position shownin Figure 1 has been completed, the sheave 27 is rotated so as to rotate cam 29`beyond its point-of engagement with the trigger whereby the Valve 22 is seated to cutoff the supply of cleaning fluid to the-blower element. vSimultaneously with the disengagement of the cam with the valve stem, rotation of niember 51 causes the spiral portion 57 kof the groove 52 to engage the pin 53 whereby the blower element is forced to the right-as viewed in-Figure 2, until the pin 53 engages the left terminating groove 56. The blower elementmay then again be rotated or oscillated without longitudinal movement of the blower element and the valve 22 willvbe opened to permit the flow ofrcleaningfluid to the .blower element while thelatter iis being rotated in this position. The nozzles will thus be therefore understood that whe'reverused in the specification or claims is to element to .la second blowing position.

.-rotatingsaid'blower element, and means dependdirected toward other portions of the boiler to be cleaned and cleaning fluid will be dischcarged toward these portions.

The projection and retraction of the blower Aelement with, respect to the blower head is permitted by reason of the splined parts within the housing 36, as above described. If desired, the operator can retract pin 53 from the cam groove by reason of the end 58 whereby the blower element may be rotated or oscillated in any position intermediate the terminating portions of the cam groove, or pin 53 may be withdrawn so that the blower element may be rotated when in its extreme retracted or projected positions beyond the limits of the grooved portions 56.

-oi the blower element. It willbe seen that the Ainvention further provides means for locking the been described as being embodied in a-boiler cleanerfor cleaning parts of a boiler. It will be apparent, however, thatthe inventive principles disclosed may be incorporated. in devices for cleaning similar types of apparatus, and it is to be the term boiler be-construed--as meaning a fluid heater or heat transfer. apparatus of any. character, while vthe Vterm boiler cleaner is. to be construed as meaning a cleaner for any suchapparatus.

lWhile the invention has beendescribed with considerable detail, it is to be understood that the description isior thepurpose of illustration only .and vthat :the right is reserved to make such changes inrthedetails of Vconstruction and arrangement or" parts as will fall within the purview of the attached claims.

lfili/'nati claim as my invention'is:

1. .Ina boiler cleaner, a blower element mounted 'for rotationand for shifting movement to spaced blowing positions, means for rotating said blower element, and means operating upon a predetermined*rotative-movement of said blowerelement -in one blowing positionwithout shifting thereof while'in said-blowing position toshift the blower 2. :In a boiler cleaner, ablower element mounted for rotation and for longitudinal movement nto spaced blowing positions, means for rotating Atudinal movement thereof while in said'blowing position toeifect alongitudinal movement of the lblowerrelernent to a secondblowing position.

3. In a boiler cleaner, a blower element mountked for rotation about its axis without shifting movement and also :for shifting movement to .spaced blowing positions, means Vdefinitely determining saidspacedblowing positions, means for ent `in operation upon rotation of said blower element for effecting a shifting of said blower element lfrom one blowing position to a second blowing position.

4. AIna'boilercleaner, a blower element mount- 150 ed for Arotation and for shifting movement to spaced blowing positions, an operating member for said blower element, and means operating upon actuation of said operating member to eifect a rotation of said blower element through a predetermined arc in one blowing position without shifting of the blower element and to then eifect a shifting of the blower element to a second blowing position.

5. In a boiler cleaner, a blower element mounted for rotation and for shifting movement to spaced blowing positions, an operating member for rotating said blower element, and means `operating upon a continued actuation of said operating member after a predetermined rotative movement of said blower element in one blowing position without shifting thereof while in said blowing position to effect a shifting of said blower element to a second blowing position.

6. In a boiler cleaner, a blower element mounted for rotation and for shifting movement to spaced blowing positions, means denitely determining said spaced blowing positions, anoperating member for rotating said blower element, means operating upon the rotation of the blower element to control the supply of cleaning fluid to said blower element, and means operating upon actuation of said operating member to effect a shifting of said blower element.

'7. In a boiler cleaner, a source of cleaning uid, a rotatable blower having a nozzle for discharging said fluid, a valve controlling the passage of iiuid from said source to said blower, means including an operating member for rotating said blower, a connection between said member and said valve for unseating the valve to supply cleaning fluid to the blower upon movement of said operating member, and means for projecting the blower forwardly from one blowing position to a second spaced blowing position, means denitely determining said spaced blowing positions, the projecting means being dependent in operation upon rotation of said blower.

8. In a boiler cleaner, a source of cleaning fluid, a rotatable blower having a nozzle for discharging said fluid, a valve controlling the passage of fluid from said source to said blower, means including an operating member for rotating said blower, a connection between said member and said valve for unseating the valve to supply cleaning iiuid to the blower upon movement of said operating member, and means for projecting the blower forwardly from one blowing position to a second spaced blowing position, means definitely determining said spaced blowing positions, the projecting means being responsive to rotation of said blower.

9. In a boiler cleaner, a blower element, means for rotating said blower element, means operating upon a predetermined rotative movement of said blower element to effect a shifting of said blower element from one blowing position to a second blowing position, and means for controlling the flow of cleaning iiuid to said blower element operating to cut off the iiow of cleaning fluid to said blower element during shifting of said blower element.

Y10. In a boiler cleaner, a blower element mounted for rotation and for longitudinal movement to spaced blowing positions, means for rotating said blower element, means operating after a predetermined rotative movement of said blower element in one blowing position to effect a longitudinal movement of the same to a second blowing position, a valve controlling the ow of cleaning fiuid to said blower element, and means operating to close said valve during said longitudinal movement of the blower element.

. 11. In a boiler cleaner, a blower for discharging cleaning fluid adjacent portions of a boiler to be cleaned, means mounting said blower for rotative and axial movements, and means for imparting one of said` movements Vto said blower, said means including a rotatable block provided with a cam groove, a pin engageable with said groove, and means for rotating said block, the engagement of said pin in said groove effecting a movement of said blower upon rotation of the block.

12. In a boiler cleaner, a blower element mounted for rotation about its axis and for longitudinal movement in the direction ofv its axis, means for rotating said blower element, and means operating upon a predetermined rotative vmovement of said blower element in one position of its longitudinal movement to shift the blower element to a second position of its longitudinal movement.

13. In a boiler cleaner, a blower element mounted for rotation about its axis and for shifting movement to spaced blowing positions, means for rotating said blower element, and means operating upon a predetermined rotative movement of said blower element in one blowing position without shifting thereof while in said position to Vshift the blower element to a second blowing position.

14. In a boiler cleaner, a blower head, a blower element mounted for rotation about its axis, a sheave carried by said blower head for rotating said blower element, means including a splined connection for operatively connecting-said sheave to said blower element whereby said blower element may be rotatably driven by said sheave but is movable longitudinally with respect thereto, means for moving the blower element relative to the blower head and sheave to a plurality of spaced blowing positions, and means definitely determining said spaced blowing positions.

l5. In a boiler cleaner, a blower element, means mounting said blower element for rotation and for longitudinal movement to spaced blowing position-s, means definitely determining said spaced blowing positions, means for rotating said blower element and for moving the same longitudinally to said spaced blowing positions, and means operating in timed relation to the rotation and longitudinal movement of said blower element for controlling the flow of cleaning fluid to the blower element. Y

16. In a boiler cleaner, a blower element mounted for rotation and for longitudinal movement to spaced blowing positions, means definitely determining said spaced blowing positions, means for rota-ting said blower element, means operating upon rotation of said blower element to effect a longitudinal movement of the blower element to said spaced blowing positions, and means operating upon rotation of said blower element to control the ow of cleaning fluid to the blower element.

17. In a boiler cleaner, a blower element mounted for rotation and for longitudinal movement, means for rotating said blower element, a member fixed to said blower element and rotatable therewith, said member being provided with a 145 cam groove, and means engageable in said groove for effecting a longitudinal movement of said blower element upon rotation thereof.

18. In Va boiler cleaner, a blower element mounted for rotation and for longitudinal movement; means for rotating said blower element, a member xed to said blower element and rotatable therewith, said member being provided with a cam groove, means engageable in saidA groove for effecting a longitudinal movement of said blower element upon rotation thereof, and means for controlling the flow of cleaning fluid to said blower element in timed relation to the rotation and longitudinal movement thereof.

19. In a boiler cleaner, a blower for discharging cleaning fluid adjacent portions of a boiler to be cleaned, means mounting said blower for rotative and axial movements, and means for axially moving said blower, said last mentioned means including a rotatable block provided with a cam groove, a pin engageable with said groove, and means for rotating said block, the engagement of said pin in said groove effecting an axial movement of said blower upon rotation of the block.

20. In a boiler cleaner, a blower element mounted for oscillation and for shifting movement, means for oscillating said blower element, and means for limiting the oscillatory movement of said blower element and for effecting the shifting movement thereof, said last mentioned means including a block provided with a cam groove and a pin engageable in said groove.

2l. In a boiler cleaner, a blower element mounted for rotation and for longitudinal movement, means for rotating said blower element, and means for controlling the rotative and longitudinal movements of said blower element, said last mentioned means including a member rotatable with said blower element and having a groove, a portion of said groove being normal to the axis of the blower element and a second'portion of said groove being inclined to the axis of the blower element, and a pin engageable in said groove.

22. In a boiler cleaner, a blower element mounted for rotation and for longitudinal movement, means for rotating said blower element, a member fixed to said blower element and rotatable therewith, said member being provided with a groove having a portion angularly disposed with reference to the axis of the blower element and having a second portion normal to the axis of the blower element, and a pin mounted for engagement in said groove and so arranged with respect thereto that engagement of said pin in the portion of said groove angularly disposed with reference to the axis of the blower element effects a longitudinal movement of the blower element upon rotation of the ylatter while engagement of said pin in the portion of said groove normal to the axis of the blower element provides for rotation of the blower element without longitudinal movement thereof.

23. In combination, a blower element mounted for shifting movement to a plurality of spaced blowing positions and for rotation in each of said positions without shifting movement thereof, means definitely determining said spaced blowing positions, a single actuating member mountedfor a single type of movement and means associated with said member and blower element and actuated by said member upon movement thereof-for effecting both the shifting and rotative movements of said blower element.

24. In combination, a blower element mounted for longitudinal movement to spaced blowing positions and for rotation without longitudinal movement thereof in each of said spaced blowing positions, means definitely determining said spaced blowing positions, a valve for controlling the flow of' cleaning fluidfto said blower element, a 'single longitudinally movable actuating memberr andmeans controlled by said memberfor effecting both the longitudinal and rotative movements of said blower element and for effecting-an actuation of said valve.

25. In combination, a blower element mounted for movement to two spaced blowing positions and for rotation in each of said positions, a'valve for controlling the flow of cleaning fluid to said blower' element, Vand means including a singla actuating member for effecting a movement of said blower element from one of said blowing positions to the other while said valve is in closed position'and for then effecting a rotation of said blower element and an opening of said valve vduring a predetermined portion of the rotationfof the blower element.

26. In a `boiler cleaner, a blower element mounted for rotation and for movement to two spaced blowing positions, a rotatableL actuating member, and means operating upon rotation of said actuating member in one direction to effect a movement of said blower element to one blowring position and a rotation of said blower element in said blowing position, said means operating upon rotation of said actuating lmember in the other direction to effect a movement of said blo-wer element to the other of said blowing positions and a rotation of the blower element in this last mentioned position.

27. In aV boiler cleaner, a blower element mounted for rotation and forshifting movement to spaced blowing positions, means for rotating said blower element kin a predetermined direction when the blower element is in one of said blowing positions, and means operating upon a rotation of said blower element in the other direction to effect a movement of said blower element to the other blowing position and a rotation of the blower element in this lblowing poe sition.

28.' In a fluid heater cleaner, a movably mounted blower element, and means for moving-said A blower element including a member mounted Vfor movement with said blower element and having a cam groove, a piny engageable in said groove, and means 'for effecting relative movement'between said pin' and said member, the engagement of said pin in said groove effecting a movement of said blower element upon a relative movement between said pin and member.

29. In a boiler cleaner, a blower head; a blower element'mounted 'for rotationy about itsaxis, an operating member carried by said blower head for rotating said blower element, means including an extensible driving connection for voperatively connecting said operatingmenrber to said lblower element whereby said blower element may be rotatively driven by said operating member but is movable longitudinally with respect thereto, means for moving the blower element 4relative to the blower headand operating member tol a plurality of spaced blowing positions, and means definitely determining said spaced blowing positions.

30. In a boiler cleaner, a rotatable blower element, means to rotate the element, a fluid supply valve for the element, means to operate the valve, means to shift the element longitudinally from one blo-wing position to a second spacedA blowing position, and a single actuating member operating'continuously and with one type `of movement toY successively actuatey the element rotating means to rotate the element in one blowing position, `actuate the valve operating means, and actuate the element shifting means to shift the element to the second blowing position.

31. In a boiler cleaner, a rotatable blower element, means to rotate the element, a fluid supply Valve for the element, means to operate the valve, means to shift the element longitudinally from one blowing position to a second spaced blowing position, and a single actuating member operating Continuously and with one type of movement to successively actuate the element rotating means to rotate the element in one blowing position, actuate the valve operating means, actuate the element shifting means to shift the element to the second blo-Wing position, actuate the element rotating means to rotate the element in said second position, and again actuate the valve operating means.

32. In a boiler cleaner, a rotatable blower element, means to rotate the element, a fluid supply valve for the element, means to operate the valve, means to shift the element longitudinally from one blowing position to a second spaced blowing position, and a single actuating member operating continuously `and with one type of movement to actuate the element rotating means to rotate the element a predetermined amount in one blowing position, actuate the valve operating means, and actuate the element shifting means to shift the element to the second blowing position, the operation of said valve and the shifting of said element being dependent upon the rotation of said element. Y

WILLIS P. THOMAS. 

